Hair curler system

ABSTRACT

A hair curler system is formed of unique hair rollers that are stored in a hair curler station. In one aspect, the hair rollers are at least partially conical in shape. The conically-shaped rollers broaden the ability of the rollers to curl and style the hair over non-conical rollers. The conically-shaped hot rollers also provide curl and wave dimension to the hair. The hair curler station is adapted to selectively control heating of the curlers or clips that secure curlers to hair.

REFERENCE TO PRIORITY DOCUMENT

This application claims priority of co-pending U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/102,314, filed Oct. 2, 2008. Priority of theaforementioned filing date is hereby claimed and the disclosure of theProvisional Patent Application is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND

A popular method for the curling and setting of a person's hair is touse hair curlers formed of plastic rollers that have been heated. Hotrollers are used on dry hair to create long lasting curl and to minimizefrizz in the hair. Hot rollers generally work by rolling the hair over apre-heated roller. The heat in the roller interacts with the hair tocause temporary reformation of straight hair to rolled or curled hair. Acurling iron is another means of curling a person's hair. One advantageof hot rollers over a hot curling iron is that rollers are less damagingto hair than hot irons.

Based on the heat transfer characteristics of the roller, the hairclosest to the hot roller rapidly forms a tight curl. Hair that isfurther from the hot surface of the roller takes much longer to form acurl as this hair receives less heat due to the relatively largedistance from the roller. Moreover, hair that is further from the hotsurface of the roller also forms into less of a curl than hair that iscloser to the hot roller. This is because the hair that is rolled overand over the roller is farther from the heat source (i.e., the hotroller) so the hair that is rolled over and over receives less heat.Moreover, hot rollers produce curl based on size; a wide diameter givesa full, smooth curl, while a thin roller gives a tight, spiral-typecurl. Currently, all hot rollers vary in length and width, but are thesame diameter from stem to stern.

Numerous hair curler constructions and configurations have beendeveloped over the years in an attempt to meet a wide variety ofconsumer demands for ease of use and styling alternatives. However, inspite of these numerous constructions, all of the requirements sought byconsumers have not been satisfied.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, there is disclosed an improved hair curlersystem that is formed of unique hair rollers that are stored in a haircurler station. In one aspect, the hair rollers are at least partiallyconical (or frusto-conical) in shape. The conically-shaped rollersbroaden the ability of the rollers to curl and style the hair overnon-conical rollers. The conically-shaped hot rollers also provide curland wave dimension to the hair. The conically-shaped rollers have a wideend and a more narrow end. The variation in size of the rollers can beused to achieve variation in curling style for the hair. When placingthe wider end of the conical rollers closer to the scalp, the result isa wavier, fuller, more voluminous look in the hair. When placing thethinner end of the roller closer to the scalp, the result is a tighterformed, textural curl. The curl and style effect can be broadenedfurther by alternating wide end roller and thin end roller next to eachother on the hair.

In another aspect, during heating of the roller, heat is applied to theouter surface of the roller as well as to the inner surface of theroller. In conventional roller systems, hot rollers affix to the head bythe use of a u-shaped pin or non-heated plastic clamp to secure therollers to the head. In the system disclosed herein, the roller systemuse a heated clamping element, such as a heated ceramic clamp. Theheated clamping element is positioned over the hot rollers to not onlysecure the roller to the hair, but to also expedite curl formation byadding heat to a location outside of the curl.

In another aspect, the heated clamping elements can be selectively usedwith or without the rollers on the hair. Thus, in addition to affixingthe heated rollers to the head, the hot ceramic clamps can be usedwithout the rollers to simply create wave dimension or erratic texturewhen curl isn't wanted or needed. The clamps can be used in a mannerwhere the hair is twisted or rolled with one's fingers while the heatedclamp are affixed to the hair. This achieves a new dimension in hairstyling.

The rollers and clamps can be stored and heated in a hair curler stationcomprised of a tower that has storage and heating areas for the rollersand clamps. The tower provides a means of storing the rollers and clampsin an easily accessible location. The tower also provides a means ofheating the rollers and clamps.

Various embodiments of the roller system are described below. Otherfeatures and advantages will be apparent from the following descriptionof various embodiments, which illustrate, by way of example, theprinciples of the disclosed devices and methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hair curler station that includes atower that is used to store, heat and access a collection of hair curlerelements, such as heated rollers and roller clamps.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the tower without the rollers and theclamps.

FIG. 3 shows the tower with a view of a display screen on the tower.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an exemplary roller that can be usedwith the system.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of an exemplary roller that can be used withthe system.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an exemplary roller clamp.

FIG. 7 shows a lengthwise view of the exemplary roller clamp.

FIG. 8 shows the roller clamp in an exploded state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the present subject matter is further described, it is to beunderstood that this subject matter described herein is not limited toparticular embodiments described, as such may of course vary. It is alsoto be understood that the terminology used here in is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to belimiting. Unless defined otherwise, all technical terms used herein havethe same meaning as commonly understood by one skilled in the art towhich this subject matter belongs.

As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading thisdisclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustratedherein has discrete components and features which may be readilyseparated from or combined with the features of any of the other severalembodiments without departing from the scope of the subject matterdescribed herein. Any recited method can be carried out in the order ofevents recited or in any other order which is logically possible.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hair curler station 105 thatincludes a tower 110 that is used to store, heat and access a collectionof hair curler elements, such as heated rollers 115 and roller clamps120. The tower 110 is adapted to heat the rollers 115 and the clamps 120so that they can be applied individually or in combination to a user'shair for achieving curls in the hair. The tower 110 can be also be usedas a means of storing the rollers 115 and clamps 120 when not in use.The tower 110 includes means for holding the rollers 115 and clamps 120in positions that are easily viewable and easily accessible by a user.Each of the components of the hair curler station 105 are described indetail below.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the tower 110 without the rollers 115and the clamps 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the tower 110 is afrusto-conically shaped body having a base that can be rested on ahorizontal surface such as a table or countertop. The tower 110 extendsupwardly from the base in a manner that prominently displays the rollers115 and clamps 120 (as shown in FIG. 1) and provides easy access to therollers and clamps for a user. It should be appreciated that the tower110 can have any of a variety of shapes not limited to the shape shownin FIG. 2. Moreover, the tower 110 can be arranged so that it is mountedon a wall such that the tower 110 extends horizontally from a verticalwall surface rather than vertically from a horizontal surface.

The tower 110 includes a plurality of roller receptacles 205 that areconfigured to removably store the rollers 115 in a manner in which auser can easily access the rollers from the tower. In an embodiment,each roller receptacle 205 is a cavity positioned on the outer surfaceof the tower 110. Each cavity is sized and shaped to receive arespective roller 115 (as shown in FIG. 1). The roller receptacles 205can optionally include a post 207 that accepts a respective roller whenthe roller is positioned in the receptacle. The shape of the cavitiesthat form the roller receptacles can vary. In an embodiment, each rollerreceptacle is shaped to receive at least one roller such that the rolleris inserted into the cavity lengthwise along the longitudinal axis ofthe roller. The receptacles 205 are configured so that heat can beradiated or otherwise transferred from the receptacle to a rollerpositioned in the receptacle, as described more fully below.

The roller receptacles 205 can be arranged in any of a variety ofarrangements or patterns on the tower 110. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, the roller receptacles 205 are arranged in aseries of columns that are interspersed around the circumference of thetower 110. This arrangement permits the rollers 115 to be grouped andorganized according to the columns. For example, rollers of a particularsize can be grouped together in a common column. In an embodiment, thereare three sizes of rollers (e.g., small, medium, and large) and thetower 110 includes at least one column of roller receptacles for eachsize of roller. It should be appreciated that the roller receptacles canbe arranged in any of a variety of patterns and that the columnarrangement shown in FIG. 2 is merely exemplary. Moreover, the size ofeach roller can vary.

With reference still to FIG. 2, the tower 110 also includes a pluralityof clamp receptacles 210 that are configured to removably store theclamps 120. In the illustrated embodiment, each clamp receptacle 210 isan elongated, vertically-extending slot that is sized and shaped toreceive one or more clamps 120 in a stacked fashion (as shown in FIG.1). Each receptacle 210 includes a rod 215 that extends verticallythrough the receptacle slot. The rod 215 is arranged such that one ormore clamps 120 can be slid down over the rod 215 so that the rod 215maintains the stack of clamps 120 in a secure position within the clampreceptacle 210. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of clampreceptacles 210 are arranged around the circumference of the tower 110although it should be appreciated that other arrangements are possible.

The tower 110 includes internal heating elements that can be activatedto apply heat to the rollers 115 and the clamps 120 for heating therollers and clamps while they are mounted on the tower. The heatingelements are positioned inside the tower 115 such that the rollers 115and clamps 120 are heated internally from the tower 110. When activated,the heating elements radiate or otherwise transfer heat to the rollers115 and/or the clamps 120 such that they become heated over time. Therollers 115 and clamps 120 heat to a temperature configured to causehair to curl when positioned on the user's hair. The tower 110 can bemade of a heat resistant and/or insulated material such that the toweritself does not get hot during heating of the rollers and clamps.

In embodiment, the heating elements and/or the rollers/clamps include orare coupled to one or more detectors that detect the temperature andadjust the temperature as needed to achieve a desired temperatureprofile. For example, the detectors can be located on the outer surfaceor inner surface of the rollers and clamps for monitoring thetemperature.

In an embodiment, the heating elements are coupled to the rollers and/orclamps in a manner that permits each of the rollers and/or clamps to beheated independently of the other rollers/and or clamps. For example,the user can heat a single roller to a desired temperature while heatingthe remaining rollers to a different temperature. This permits the userto vary the heating profile of the rollers/clamps individually ofanother set of rollers and/or clamps.

FIG. 3 shows the tower 110 at viewpoint of 180 degrees from theviewpoint of FIG. 2. The tower 110 includes a display screen 305 thatdisplays information. The information on the display screen 305 can varyand can include, for example, temperature of the tower and temperatureof the rollers and/or clamps. The display screen 305 can also display anindicator that indicates when the heating elements are activated, aswell as an indicator that indicates when the rollers and/or clamps areheated to a target temperature. The display screen 305 can also includecontrollers, such as knobs, buttons, dials, switches, etc. that can beused to control the heating of the tower. For example, the controllerscan be used to raise or lower the temperature to which the rollersand/or clamps are heated, as well as controllers for activating ordeactivating the heating elements.

With reference still to FIG. 3, in an embodiment the tower 110 alsoincludes a region 305 in which a logo can be displayed. Any of a varietyof logos and/or advertisements can be positioned on the region 305. Itshould be appreciated that the logo shown in the region 305 in FIG. 3 ismerely exemplary and that other logos can be used.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an exemplary roller 115 that can beused with the system. The roller 115 has a frusto-conical shape suchthat a first end of the roller has a diameter that is greater than anopposed, second end of the roller. The diameter of the roller 115decreases gradually moving from the first end to the second end suchthat the roller 115 has a relatively smooth outer surface. A raisedridge or collar 405 is positioned at each end of the roller 115. Thecollar 405 extends around the circumference of the roller 405 to helpsecure hair on the outer surface of the roller as hair is wound aroundthe roller. The roller 115 has an outer surface against which hair restsas it is wound around the roller 115. The roller 115 also includes aninternal channel 415 that extends co-axially with the longitudinal axisof the roller.

As shown the side view of FIG. 5, the channel 415 (shown in phantom toindicate that the channel is internal to the roller) does notnecessarily extend through the entire length of the roller 115. Asmentioned, the roller 115 can come in a variety of sizes such as asmall, medium, and large size. The roller has a length L, which can varyto suit various needs. The outer surface of the frusto-conical rollerslopes at an angle A, which can vary.

The conically-shaped rollers 115 increase their ability (overconventional, cylindrical rollers) to curl and style the hair. Theconically-shaped hot rollers provide increase ability to curl and wavedimension the hair. The variation in diameter of the rollers can be usedto achieve variation in curling style for the hair. When placing thewider end of the conical rollers closer to the scalp, the result is awavier, fuller, more voluminous look in the hair. When placing thesmaller end of the roller closer to the scalp, the result is a tighterformed, textural curl.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an exemplary roller clamp 120. Theclamp 120 has an outer, annular body 605 that is frusto-conical in shapeso that the clamp 605 can be positioned snug over a respective roller115. The body 605 is formed of two clamping members that define aninternal shaft 607 that is sized to receive a roller. The body 605includes a biasing member, such as a spring that maintains the body in aclosed state as shown in FIG. 6. A pair of wings 610 extend radiallyoutward from the body 605. A user can apply pressure to the wings 610for urging the clamping members away from one another to open the clamp120. When the wings 610 are released by the user, the biasing membercauses the clamp members to close toward one another. In this manner,the clamp 120 can be opened to receive a roller 115 or to receive aportion of a person's hair. The clamp 120 is released so that it exertspressure on the roller and hair to retain the roller to the hair.

FIG. 7 shows a view of the clamp looking toward the longitudinal axis ofthe clamp 120. FIG. 8 shows the clamp in an exploded state. The clamp120 can be formed and/or coated with a heat tolerant material, such asceramic. As shown in FIG. 8, the clamp can have dimensions that vary. Inan embodiment, the wings 610 have a length L. The clamp 120 can have aradius of curvature R1 at a first end that is less than a radius ofcurvature R2 at a second end of the clamp. The biasing member 805 ispositioned inside the clamp 120 to urge the clamp toward a closedconfiguration.

In use, the rollers 115 and clamping members 120 are stored in theirrespective receptacles on the tower 110, as shown in FIG. 1. The heatingelements are then activated to heat the rollers 115 and clamping members120 to a desired temperature. Advantageously, the tower maintains therollers and clamps in an easily accessible location and also in alocation where the heat from the rollers and clamps will not harm ordamage anything. The user can selectively remove one or more rollersand/or clamps from the tower 110 and position them on the user's hair.As mentioned, the rollers can be applied to the hair such that theycause the hair to curl. The rollers are heated such that the surface ofthe roller radiate heat to the hair that is wound around the roller. Theheated clamps can be clamped over the rollers so that the clamps provideheat to the hair that is wound further away from the roller. In thismanner, the hair close to the roller as well as the hair further fromthe roller is heated.

While this specification contains many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of an invention that is claimed orof what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specificto particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in thisspecification in the context of separate embodiments can also beimplemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures that are described in the context of a single embodiment canalso be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in anysuitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be describedabove as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed assuch, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some casesbe excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may bedirected to a sub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination.Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults.

Although embodiments of various methods and devices are described hereinin detail with reference to certain versions, it should be appreciatedthat other versions, embodiments, methods of use, and combinationsthereof are also possible. Therefore the spirit and scope of theappended claims should not be limited to the description of theembodiments contained herein.

1. A hair curler system, comprising: at least one hair roller; at leastone hair clamp sized and shaped to be clamped over the hair roller; atower having: (a) a hair roller receptacle adapted to store the hairroller in a manner that the hair roller is accessible from the tower;(b) a hair clamp receptacle adapted to store the hair clamp in a mannerthat the hair clamp is accessible from the tower; (c) a heating elementthat transmits heat to at least one of the hair roller and hair clampwhen stored in a respective receptacle.
 2. A system as in claim 1,wherein the hair roller comprises a frusto-conical hair roller.
 3. Asystem as in claim 1, wherein the system includes a plurality of hairrollers.
 4. A system as in claim 1, wherein the hair roller receptaclecomprises a cavity positioned on the outer surface of the tower, thecavity being sized and shaped to receive a respective hair roller.
 5. Asystem as in claim 4, wherein the cavity is sized and shaped to receiveat least one hair roller such that the hair roller is inserted into thecavity lengthwise along the longitudinal axis of the hair roller.
 6. Asystem as in claim 1, wherein the tower includes at least one columnthat includes a plurality of hair roller receptacles, each hair rollerreceptacle configured to store a single hair roller.
 7. A system as inclaim 1, wherein the hair roller receptacle includes a post thatreceives a hair roller.
 8. A system as in claim 1, wherein the hairclamp includes an internal shaft that is sized to receive the hairroller.
 9. A system as in claim 1, wherein the internal shaft isfrusto-conical.
 10. A system as in claim 1, wherein the hair clamp isadapted to clamp onto hair.
 11. A system as in claim 1, wherein thetower further includes a display that displays a temperature of thetower.
 12. A system as in claim 1, wherein the hair clamp receptacle anelongated, vertically-extending slot that is sized and shaped to receiveone or more hair clamps in a stacked fashion.
 13. A system as in claim12, wherein the tower includes a plurality of hair clamp receptacles.14. A system as in claim 1, wherein the heating elements are adapted totransmit heat to a first roller independent of another roller.
 15. Asystem as in claim 1, wherein the heating elements are adapted totransmit heat to a first clamp independent of another clamp.